Hello Memphis! This weekend has you set up for some local folk, a rap underdog, and some world-class country! Get ready to get heady? It’s time for some shots!
Friday (9/21) starts things off pretty lax. First and foremost, we’d love you to go to the Chris Milam show at The Hi-Tone; not only is it a release party for Milam, but it also features the talent of The Near Reaches and the Kait Lawson/Al Gamble/Mark Edgar Stuart trio.
Also on Friday, classically trained in 2000-era hip hop, Brabo Gator will come storming through with plenty of Eminem or 50-Cent-like rhymes (if you’re into that kind of thing). Broomhill comes in tandem to support.
On to Saturday (9/22) with a very special treat! Twelve-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris will be playing everyone’s favorite outdoor venue when she takes the stage at the Levitt Shell. The country cowgirl who’s morphed her style as many times as the number of decades she’s been making music is booked for an evening set on the Overton park lawn. The Memphis Dawls will accompany Harris, giving the night a pleasant tint that will remind you that “country” wasn’t always a bad word.
Otherlands Coffeebar adds another option for your Saturday evening. Bluff City Backsliders, Remus Bodemus, and Molly Ray play different amalgamations of country, folk, and americana.
No matter how you start your Saturday, you should end it at P & H Cafe. Nashville’s Milktooth is on the cusp of releasing their upcoming EP “Wild Before Our Eyes” due out October 19th. On top of Milktooth’s unique composition, the effort was produced by Tom Laune (R.E.M., Alex Chilton) and mastered Harris Newman (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade) giving it plenty of steam to ride on. Support is provided by another Nashvillian (yes, Nashvillian) in Joseph LeMay. The doors are at 10 so come out after your evening is over so you can get your night started.
Sunday (9/23) keeps the weekend going with a special treat for slightly off-center rap enthusiasts when The Slumerican tour comes in town. If you have no idea what the Slumerican tour is, you should go anyways if only to see a new rap talent. (I think this is where it is appropriate to say) SWAG!
2010 hip hop breakout Yelawolf brings his lyrically acute rap to the New Daisy. Although he’s fought his way through E-level stardom since he debuted as a national artist on The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliot, Yelawolf’s success didn’t take hold until he signed to Shady Records and released his 2011 album Radioactive. He’s currently working on a follow-up titled Love Story that will be released in the coming year.
Also billed are rapper Rittz, odd-ball Trouble Andrew, and DJ Vajra. The night will be long and full of creative hip hop, so if your Sunday is planless, here’s a golden opportunity at securing a worthwhile agenda.
